Rays, Red Sox Talking Blockbusters With TribeBy Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 27 at 1:35pm CST]The Rays and Red Sox are each discussing blockbuster deals with the Indians for both Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Here are the details and the rest of Sherman's rumors:

The Rays would deal Wade Davis, but the Red Sox are hesitant to deal Clay Buchholz. The Phillies, Brewers and Rangers have interest in Lee and the Giants have interest in V-Mart. One executive is "1,000%" confident the Indians will move Lee and Martinez to free up money. An AL executive says the Phillies will acquire Lee, Roy Halladay or Jarrod Washburn by Friday afternoon. The Padres may be more willing to deal Heath Bell than expected. As one official says, Bell will be an expensive closer on a bad team if the Padres don't trade him. The Yankees have been interested in Bell, whose value is higher than ever.

Giants fans have heard all about Freddy Sanchez and Nick Johnson in recent weeks, but those are far from the only players the team would consider adding, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. GM Brian Sabean says the team is considering "six to eight scenarios or names," some of which involve players on teams in the fringes of the playoff race.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Indians have scouted the Giants' system. The Indians have Victor Martinez and Ryan Garko, who could both appeal to the Giants. Aubrey Huff and Marco Scutaro are also options for the Giants, who could add a bat at a number of positions.

Reds Are Sellers; Close To Making A Deal?By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 27 at 2:29pm CST]Jeff Fletcher of AOL FanHouse hears that the Reds are close to making a deal after top team officials spoke on a conference call this morning. The Reds, fifth in the NL Central, are sellers and have pitchers like Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang and Francisco Cordero who could all appeal to teams seeking pitching.

The Dodgers have interest in Arroyo and Harang, but only if their pursuit of Cliff Lee falls through. The Reds would likely have to take on salary in any deal involving Harang or Arroyo.

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com cites a source with knowledge of the discussions as saying talks between the Phillies and Blue Jays for Roy Halladay are "not going well."

"If the Phillies think for one minute that they're going to get this guy for anything other than top dollar, they'd better go get Cliff Lee," a major league executive said. The Phillies still refuse to include Kyle Drabek in the package for Halladay, but just as the Blue Jays have reportedly softened on their Tuesday deadline, the Phillies could just as soon bend. Source: ESPN.com

Scouting Update: Indians, Jays, Phils, YankeesBy Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 27 at 4:26pm CST]With just a few days remaining before the trade deadline, scouts are evaluating rival players throughout the majors and minors. Here are a few updates on who's scouting who:The Yankees are scouting Cliff Lee, accoreding to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. We heard last week from Sports Illustrated that the Yanks have interest in Lee. Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer hears that the Indians will watch Phillies minor leaguers for the next few nights, which suggests the Indians could consider sending Lee to Philly. Martino hears that the Jays are finished scouting the Phillies, but they could take another look at Kyle Drabek tonight.

The Yankees and Reds are sersiously discussing a Bronson Arroyo trade, according to Jeff Fletcher of AOL FanHouse. One of Fletcher's sources says the possible deal "will get done," though the two clubs haven't determined how much of the $4MM remaining on Arroyo's contract the Reds will pay. Arroyo will make $11MM next season and the same amount in 2011 if his team doesn't buy him out for $2MM.

The Yankees and Reds are sersiously discussing a Bronson Arroyo trade, according to Jeff Fletcher of AOL FanHouse. One of Fletcher's sources says the possible deal "will get done," though the two clubs haven't determined how much of the $4MM remaining on Arroyo's contract the Reds will pay. Arroyo will make $11MM next season and the same amount in 2011 if his team doesn't buy him out for $2MM.

from MLBTR

oh my god.....

B-Chad wrote:Pedroia's LD rate of 20% is reason to believe he'll maintain a higher BA then Cano. It should also be noted he hits more FB's then Cano, which means that even if he posts a lower HR/FB then Cano, he should come in reasonably close to Cano in HR's

The Yankees and Reds are sersiously discussing a Bronson Arroyo trade, according to Jeff Fletcher of AOL FanHouse. One of Fletcher's sources says the possible deal "will get done," though the two clubs haven't determined how much of the $4MM remaining on Arroyo's contract the Reds will pay. Arroyo will make $11MM next season and the same amount in 2011 if his team doesn't buy him out for $2MM.